Refuse incinerator



United States Patent O 3,376,833 REFUSE HNCINERATUR Paul A. Mutchler,St. Louis, Mo., assignor to American Air Filter Company, Inc,Louisville, Ky., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 16, 1966, Ser. No.602,311

' 7 Claims. (Cl. 110-14) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The presentinvention provides means for burning damp refuse, for example sewage, byseparating the liquid and solid portions of the refuse, drying .at leasta part of the solids, burning the dried solids, evaporating at least apart of the liquid and burning the combustible components of the gasesto be emitted from the incinerator.

Background of the invention Some previous means for disposing of damprefuse have been designed to separate the liquid and solid portions,process the solid portion and separately dispose of the liquid withoutfurther processing. Some such previous apparatus has provided means forthe incineration of refuse where the solid portions are dried andsubsequently burned while liquids are merely drained ofi for subsequentdisposal. In other previous apparatus the liquids have been evaporatedas the solids are burned but no provision has been made for controllingthe odors emitted from such apparatus and it has been noted that suchprevious apparatus has been expensive and extremely cumbersome.

Some previous refuse incinerators have been of lightweight constructionto be easily moved from one location to another but such portableincinerators have not provided means for complete combustion of refuseor for the elimination of objectionable odors resulting from thecombustion of the damp refuse.

Summary the invention It has been recognized that the present inventionprovides a straightforward, inexpensive refuse incinerator for completecombustion of damp refuse and for elimination of objectionable odorsemitted from previous refuse incinerator arrangements.

Moreover, it has been recognized that the present invention provides alightweight incinerator arrangement for disposal of damp refuse which islight enough to be easily adapted to be mounted on standard vehicles formovement from one location to another and still provide for disposal ofsewage without emission of objectionable odors.

Various other features of the present invention will become obvious tothose skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure'set forthhereinafter.

More particularly, the present invention provides a method forincinerating damp refuse including: separating liquid and solid portionsof the refuse, drying the solid porton and burning the combustiblecomponents of the dried solids; passing gases emitted from thecombustion of the dried solids over the liquid separated from the damprefuse to evaporate the liquid; and burning combustible components ofthe gases passed over the liquid.

The present invention further provides an incinerator arrangementincluding: rotatably mounted drum means having spaced perforations inthe circumferential surface thereof to drain liquid from the drum means;means to supply damp refuse to the rotatably mounted drum means;collector means cooperatively disposed relative to the drum means tocollect liquid emitted through the perforations in said drum means; heatsource means to direct 3,376,833 Patented Apr. 9, 1968 means; baffiemeans to direct at least a portion of gases emitted from the drum meansover the liquid collector means to evaporate liquids collected in thecollector means; and combustor means disposed in cooperative relationwith the collector means to cooperatively direct flame and heat into thestream of gas passed over the collector means to burn combustiblecomponents of the gases.

It will be realized by those skilled in the art that various changes canbe made in the arrangement, form or method of the refuse incineratordisclosed herein without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

Brief description of the drawings Referring now to the drawings whichshow one example of an incinerator in accordance with the presentinvention:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, in section, of an example of anincinerator provided by the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an end view taken along a plane passing through line 2-2 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view taken along a plane pass ing through line 33 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view taken along a plane passing through line 4-4 ofFIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 5 discloses an alternate drum arrangement to be used in the.apparatus of FIGURE 1.

Description of the preferred embodiments FIGURE 1 is an example of arefuse incinerator in accordance with the present invention andincludes, generally, a rotatable drum 1 to receive damp refuse disposedin cooperative spaced relation in a casing 9. The circumferential wallof drum 1 has perforations 2 to emit free liquid separated from the damprefuse charged to drum 1 so the relatively solid portions of the refuseare retained in drum 1. A collecting pan 3 is cooperatively disposedbeneath drum 1 to receive the liquid which drains from refuse charged todrum 1. Primary flow of gas through the incinerator is shown by thearrows, and first combustor 4 is provided to direct heat into drum 1 todry the solids and burn at least a portion of the dried solids. A secondcombustor 7 is provided above drum 1 so as to be downstream of collectorpan 3 in the gas flow system to advantageously complete the burning ofcombustible components in the gases and vapors before emission of suchgases and vapors from. the incinerator through outlet 8.

More particularly, in the example of the incinerator shown in thefigures, drum 1 is disposed in a generally horizontal position in acasing 9 where casing 9 includes end walls 9a, 9b, side walls 90, 9d, atop wall 9e, and a bottom 9 Casing 9 further includes a partial dividerand drum support wall 11 extending upwardly from bottom 9 normal to andbetween side walls and 9d to define a chamber 12 between itself and endwall 9b. A second divider and support wall 14 is inset from end wall 9aand extends fully from top 9e to bottom 9 of casing 9 to define a secondchamber 35 between itself and end wall 9a.

Drum 1 is advantageously rotatably mounted in casing 9 where end 6 ofdrum 9, including an opening 6a, is vertically supported bycooperatively disposed rotatable bearings 12 fixed to the upper edge ofdivider wall 11. Opposite end 17 of drum 1 is rotatably supported inroller bearings 36 cooperatively fixed around opening 14a in dividerwall 14. It will be noted that the upper edge of divider 11 and opening14a of divider 14 are in aligned 3 relation so roller bearings 10 and 36are in fixed aligned relation to cooperatively support drum 1 in agenerally horizontal rotatable position.

Second end 17 of drum 1 advantageously extends through divider 14 andincludes a peripheral ring gear 3? adapted to mesh with a cooperativedrive gear 16 (FIGURE 3). Gear 16 is driven, for example by means ofmotor 19 drivingly connected to drive gear 16 by means of a drive chain18, to rotate ring gear 37 and drum 1 at selected speeds.

End 9!; of easing 9 includes an inlet 21 advantageously located inadjacent generally aligned relation with t pening 6a of rotatable drum 1and is provided for loading refuse into drum 1.

A shelf 24 of selected width extends from wall 9b to divider 11 inaligned relation with opening 6a of drum 1 and is provided (FIGURES land 2) over chamber 12 to facilitate transfer of refuse from inlet port21 to opening 6a of drum 1. It will be further noted, as hereinafterdescribed, that shelf 24 forms the bottom portion of a chamber 5. A door22 is provided to cover opening 21 and can be hinged at the bottom, forexample by hinge means 23, so door 22 opens from the top to bottom torovide a shelf for resting container means before charging refuse todrum 1. A cooperative lock means 23a, for example a threaded bolt, canbe provided to hold door 22 closed during operation of the incinerator.r A cooperative baffle broadly designated by numeral 13 is provided todirect flow of gas through casing 9 and can be disposed within casing 9in a generally horizontal position extending generally from front wall9b toward divider 14. Bafiie 13 can include selectively disposed panels13a, 13b, 13c and 13d where horizontal panel 130 abuts wall 9b andvertical walls 13d are positioned to abut shelf 24, wall 911, and panel13a to form a semi-enclosed chamber to receive gases emitted fromopening 6a of drum 1 and through which refuse is charged to opening 6aof drum 1. Vertical panel 13a extends transverse the longitudinal axisof casing 9 between panels 13d to prevent the passage of gaslongitudinally through casing 9 from chamber 5 and includes an opening(not shown) which is adapted to fit closely around end 6 of drum 1 torestrict passage of gas between panel 13a and end 6 of drum 1. Chamber 5includes an outlet 27, defined generally between panel 13a and divider11 (FIGURE 1) for emission of gases from chamber 5 in a selecteddirection as hereinafter described.

Panels 13b of baflie 13 extend generally longitudinally in asubstantially horizontal plane through the casing 9 and from wall 9c and9d to each side of rotating drum 1, respectively, so the portion ofchamber 9 between divider walls 11 and 14 includes two chambers 38 and39.

Bafiie 13 can, advantageously, terminate just short of divider 14 toform gas flow passage 28 for passage of gas between chambers 38 and 39.

Pan 3 can be of selected width, length, and depth to fit under rotatabledrum 1 to receive liquid and other substances emitted throughperforations 2 of drum 1. Pan 3 can be removably mounted in casing 9,for ex- :ample by means of toggle mechanism 31, to be easily removedfrom casing 9 for cleaning and a door 32 can be provided in side 90 ofcasing 9 to facilitate removal -of pan 3.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, damp solidsremaining in drum 1 after separation of free liquid are first dried andthen the combustible components of the refuse are burned. Heat sourcemeans, for example a fuel burning combustor 4, can be provided to beinserted in opening 17a of end 17 of drum 1 to direct heat and flameinto the rotating drum for drying and burning the solids. A secondcombustor 7 can advantageously be disposed to heat a portion of the drumand simultaneously provide an additional combustion opening source forconsumption of combustible products carried by gases emitted fromdrum 1. It is desirable to assure complete combustion of objectionableodor which would otherwise be undesirably emitted from the incinerator.In the example of an incinerator in accordance with the presentinvention as shown in the example of the figures, second combustor '7extends through divider 14 and is directed into chamber 39 of easing 9to advantageously direct flame in the direction of flow of the gases sothe combustible components of the gases are consumed.

Combustors 4 and 7 can, for example, burn liquid fuel, and a cooperativefuel pump 34 can be provided to supply fuel to the combustors at aselected rate by means of conduits 34a. Combustion air can be suppliedto combustors 4 and 7 by means of a combustion air fan 37 where drumdrive motor 19, fuel pump 34 and combustion air fan 37 can be housed inchamber 37.

Means can be provided to eliminate fly ash from the gases and vaporsemitted from incinerator 9 and in the example of the figures, bafiles 40are disposed in outlet 8 to direct fly ash to fly ash pit 12 formedbetween divider wall 11 and end wall 9b.

In operation of the incinerator apparatus as shown in the example of thefigures, damp refuse, for example sewage, is charged to drum 1 throughopening 21 of easing 9. Drum 1 is rotated to turn such damp refuse overand over so free liquid contained in the refuse drains throughperforations 2 to be collected in pan 3. Combustor 4 is provided todirect flame and heat through rotating drum 1 to first dry the solidsand secondly to burn the dried solids so the gaseous and vaporousproducts of combustion are emitted from drum 1 through opening 611 to bereceived in chamber 5.

Combustion products flow from chamber 5 through 27 to be directed overthe liquid contained in an 3 to evaporate the liquid and carry theresulting vapor to chamber 39 through openings 28 of bafiie 13b. It isto be noted that battle 13b severely restricts the flow of gas betweenpanel 13b and rotating drum 1 so most of the gas passes through chamber38 and over pan 3 before entering chamber 39.

Advantageously, combustor 7 directs flame and heat through chamber 39 toheat a portion of drum 1 which is not exposed to the refuse held in drum1 and the unexposed portion is easily heated to a high temperature. Theportion of drum 1 so heated by combustor 7 is then in turn rotated to aposition to be directly contacted by the refuse to facilitate drying thedamp refuse.

It is recognized that some gaseous products from the drying andcombustion which occurs in drum 1 are emitted through perforations 2 ofdrum 1 and pass directly into chamber 39 without passing through chamber38. As hercinbefore noted, gas which is emitted from opening 6a of drum1 passes over collector 3 and through chamber 38 and into chamber 39.All of the gas admitted to chamber 39 from chamber 38, throughperforations 2 or otherwise, is subjected to flame and heat fromcombustor 7 to eliminate combustible materials carried by the gas streambefore emission from outlet 8 and to prevent emission of objectionableodors from the incinerator.

In accordance with the present invention, it has been recognized thatfinal combustion of gas and vapor before emission from the incineratorconsumes the remaining unreacted products to eliminate odors and noxiousgases which would otherwise be emitted from stack 8 and superheats watervapors to prevent condensation in the vicinity of the incinerator.

As the refuse collected in drum 1 is burned, the ash and unburnedsubstances pass through perforations 2 of drum 1 to be collected in pan3 while fly ash is collected in chamber 12. Periodic removal of ash andother unburned materials requires little efiort. Thus it will berealized that the present invention provides an incinerator which isstraightforward and efiicient in operation and which requires little orno maintenance.

It will be recognized that within the scope of the present inventionother liquid collecting arrangements can be devised, for example asshown in FIGURE 5, perforated drum 1 can be enclosed in a solid drum 1aso an annular chamber 41 is formed therebetween. In such an arrangementpan 3 can be eliminated from the apparatus because drum 1a provides theliquid collector means and liquid drain through the perforations to becollected in the annular chamber. Drum 1a can be rotated with drum 1 toagitate liquid collected in the annular chamber to evaporate the liquidon the heated surface of drum 1. Also, combustion air can be passedthrough chamber 41 and heated gases and flames can be emitted to chamber41 through perforations 2 of drum 1.

The invention claimed is:

1. A damp refuse incinerator arrangement including: rotatably mounteddrum means having spaced perforations in the circumferential wallthereof for emission of liquid from said drum means; means to rotatesaid drum at a selected speed; means to supply damp refuse to saidrotatably mounted drum means; collector means cooperatively disposedrelative to said drum means to collect liquid draining through saidperforations in said drum means; heat source means to direct heat intosaid rotating drum to remove moisture from said damp refuse and burn aportion of the said refuse; vent means for emission of gases from saiddrum means; means cooperatively disposed so a portion of said gasesemitted from said drum means are directed over said liquid collectormeans to evaporate liquid collected in said collector means; and heatsource means disposed to direct flame and heat into said stream of gaspassing over said collector meansto burn combustible components of saidgas.

2. The arrangement of claim '1 wherein said drum is rotated about agenerally horizontal axis and said collector means is disposed beneathsaid drum means to receive liquid emitted through said perforations insaid drum means and solid products of combustion generated in said drummeans which pass through said perforations in said drum means.

3. The incinerator arrangement of claim 1 wherein said collector meansinclude solid surface drum means having a diameter greater than thediameter of said perforated drum means wherein said solid surface drummeans is disposed in axially aligned relation with said perforated drummeans to provide an annular chamber therebetween for collection ofliquid emitted from said perforated drum means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said drum means includes a first endhaving a generally axially aligned opening and the other end includessaid vent means for emission of gas from said drum means; and first heatsource means disposed in said opening in said first end to direct heatinto said rotatable means.

5. A method of incinerating damp refuse comprising: separating freeliquid and solid portions of said refuse; draining said liquid intocollector means; heating said solid portions of said refuse to dry saidsolids; burning at least a portion of said dried solids; directing gasesresulting from said drying and burning of said solid portions over saidcollector means to evaporate said liquid drained from said refuse; andburning combustible components of said gas stream passed over saidcollector means.

6. A damp refuse incinerator arrangement including: an outer casinghaving a refuse inlet, an ash removal outlet, and a gas outlet; arotatably mounted drum disposed in said casing in generally horizontalrelation; said rotatable drum having perforations in the wall thereof todrain liquid from said drum means and an axially aligned opening in eachend of said drum means wherein said drum means is disposed in saidcasing so said refuse inlet of said casing and said opening in one endof said drum means are in cooperative aligned relation; collector panmeans cooperatively disposed beneath said rotatable drum means tocollect liquid drained through said perforations in said drum means;first combustor means disposed in said opening in the second end of saidrotatable drum means disposed to direct heat and flame into said drummeans toward said first opening in said drum means to remove moisturefrom said damp refuse and burn a portion of said refuse; baffie meansextending generally horizontally through said casing to direct gasemitted from said opening in said first end of said rotatable drum meansover liquid collected in said pan means to evaporate a portion of saidliquid; and second combustor means disposed in cooperative relation withsaid collector means and said gas outlet means to direct flame and heatinto said stream of gas passed over said collector means to burncombustible components of said gas stream.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second combustor isadvantageously disposed downstream from said collector to direct heatand flame into said stream of gas in the direction of flow of gas anddirect heat and flame toward a selected portion of said rotating drum toheat said selected portion of said drum.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 481,147 8/1892 Parke 110-9911,375 2/1909 Burwell 11014 X 1,101,129 6/1914 Kitchen 11015 1,491,8944/1924 Atkinson 110-14 X 2,903,709 9/1959 Blankenship et al. 110-9 XJAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner.

